Rama Krishna Sangem
March 10, 2022 will be remembered in recent Indian politics as two new records were set on the day of counting of votes for five state assemblies. First, BJP came to power for second consecutive term in Uttar Pradesh. Second, Aam Admin Party (AAP) became the fourth political party after Congress, BJP and the Left front, to come to power in two states at a time.
We said recent Indian politics, because, Janata Party in the post Emergency era was in power simultaneously in more than one state. But, since 1989, when the dominance of Congress began declining, only three parties enjoyed that privilege of being in power in two states. AAP now joined the list of selective club of political parties.
March 10, 22, is also special for BJP which won four out of the five states that went to polls this time round. Winning UP is all the more important and prestigious to the party. PM Modi took up on to his shoulders the party campaign in this most populous state of the country. CM Yogi Aditynanath proved to be a man of mettle by returning to power for a second term.
Some political analysts termed this election as YA Vs AY (Yogi Adityanath Vs Akhilesh Yadav) as other two major contenders – Behen ji Mayawati’s BSP and Congress – were pushed to be background. But, no one imagined that the two parties would be reduced to such a poor number – BSP -1 and Congress 2 MLAs. BJP won 259 while SP bagged 129. Exit polls were almost on the spot.
Uttarakhand and Manipur too went BJP, as Congress failed to put up any decent fight there. Congress veteran Harish Rawati who was supposed to become CM of Uttarakhand too couldn’t make any impact. Goa is a lesson for Congress for its sheer neglect and laziness. The party which narrowly lost Goa in 2017 finished poor second, leaving BJP to easily form the government now.
These elections tell us a couple of lessons: First, BJP’s popularity or PM Narendra Modi’s charisma is still working wonder in UP and elsewhere. AAP is out to spread its wings across the country in the coming years, as a party with difference. Congress paid heavy price for its confusion and groupism by losing the state. The Dalit CM card by appointing Channi to the post hasn’t helped the party.
Not surprisingly, three Congress veterans – Capt Amarinder Singh (he left the party to form Punjab Lok Congress), Channi and Siddhu – lost the polls. This indicates how fed up the public are with the Congress. So, last minute playing of caste cards won’t help the parties win the elections. So is the case with women card as played by Priyanka Gandhi in UP.
This round of elections make easy the job of BJP in getting elected its nominees for the posts of President and Vice-President, for which elections will be held three to four months. PM Modi continues to be star of the party and the government at the Centre. He is certain to be the PM candidate of BJP for a third term in 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
